- The pilot project “BideRoad” will enhance the management and maintenance of four of San Sebastián’s road networks through digitalisation and improved traceability.
- The project developed by the Ceit Technology Centre was selected from among the proposals submitted to the Ideas Contest for the Resolution of Urban Challenges, launched by Fomento de San Sebastián, for pilot testing in collaboration with the City Council’s Department of Maintenance and Urban Services.
The technological solution “BideRoad: Automation of the Inspection and Digitalisation of Urban Road Network Maintenance” was presented by the Ceit Technology Centre to the Ideas Contest for the Resolution of Urban Challenges, launched by Fomento de San Sebastián. The project was selected from among the submitted proposals and will be tested in the city over the coming months.
"Bideroad" Project
San Sebastian has road networks that must be renewed from time to time as the weather and their own use degrade the surface. The Maintenance department carries out periodic visual inspections to proceed with its repair, consuming a significant amount of resources and time.
The BideRoad pilot project stands out for its innovative application in the public sector and is designed to significantly improve the efficiency of road network maintenance by digitising and automating the inspection of these networks. Specifically, to test the tool, bus lines 13, 17, 28, and 31 have been selected.
First, a sensorized vehicle with a vision capture system will complete the routes of the lines to process the images with artificial intelligence. This process digitises the road network, enabling automatic detection of surface damage and supporting more efficient maintenance planning.
BideRoad also offers a platform with a web interface for visualising the road network, monitoring its condition, managing maintenance resources, and scheduling necessary
interventions.
The 12-month pilot project marks the final stage of Ceit’s R&D&I cycle and will provide crucial support to the newly established technology-based company responsible for managing the system. To date, Ceit has launched 20 spin-offs employing over 300 people, most of whom have benefited from the support of Fomento de San Sebastián in their creation and growth.
Contest "Ideas for the Resolution of Urban Challenges"
The Strategic Plan for the Development of San Sebastián (2023–2027) aims to position the city as a recognized City of Science and Innovation. Promoting public innovation is a core priority within this plan and a central axis of the Municipal Society’s 2025 Innovation Plan.
In line with these goals, initiatives like the Ideas Contest help align local talent and expertise with municipal needs, providing creative and high-impact solutions to urban challenges. The contest, open until 31 December, demonstrates the Municipal Society’s strong commitment to public-private collaboration and reinforces Fomento de San Sebastián’s role as a connector and catalyst for innovation in the public sector, establishing it as a key player in the development of strategic projects throughout the city.
This year, efforts are also focused on identifying innovation opportunities in Polygon 27 and the Eastern District, advancing innovative public procurement, and securing resources through European funding calls.
Aligned with the work carried out by Fomento de San Sebastián within the European Interreg Europe ENAIBLER project, which focuses on advancing AI-driven policies to support the digital transformation of local territories, the BideRoad project underscores the vital role of Artificial Intelligence in enhancing public services and driving innovation. This collaboration also highlights the importance of integrating cutting-edge technologies like AI to boost the growth of the local business ecosystem. Moreover, in a global context where knowledge spreads rapidly and technology evolves at pace, the Ideas Contest highlights the crucial role of the public sector in staying updated and driving AI adoption through strong public-private partnerships and innovative collaboration with local stakeholders like Ceit.